ACC Tournament closed to fans beginning Thursday

The ACC confirmed Thursday that the 2020 ACC Tournament will be closed to fans beginning with Thursday’s quarterfinal round.

“In light of the rapidly changing landscape regarding COVID-19, the latest developments nationally from health authorities and today’s announcement by the NCAA COVID-19 Advisory Panel, the ACC will alter the remainder of the ACC Tournament. After consultation with the league’s presidents and athletic directors, it was determined that beginning Thursday, March 12, all games will be played with only essential tournament personnel, limited school administrators and student-athlete guests, broadcast television and credentialed media members present.”

This is from a press statement from the conference sent out at halftime of the opening game of the second round session between Notre Dame and Boston College.

Earlier in the day, NCAA President Mark Emmert issued a statement indicating that the 2020 NCAA Tournament would go on as scheduled, but that fans would not be permitted at the game venues.

That news came down after the conclusion of the second game of the afternoon session at the Greensboro Coliseum, a 73-58 N.C. State win over Pitt.

That game ended around 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, roughly two and a half hours before the scheduled 7 p.m. tip for the Notre Dame-Boston College game.

The ACC tweeted a statement shortly after the NCAA announcement indicating that fans would be permitted at the night session games at the ACC Tournament, with further evaluation about tomorrow’s games to come.

It was widely expected on-site that the tournament would be closed off to fans after tonight’s session.

Story by Chris Graham